So for about two years I haven't been attending church at all. Primarily because I started having panic attacks and crazy bad anxiety and I find it hard to be stuck in one place for a long time. Social interactions are hard for me and anxiety inducing. I miss learning about God and I am growing so much further apart from Him without church. I feel terrible that I haven't been going but in the same sense I feel like I can't go. I just don't know what to do... :\
Neglecting Church
- Thread starter Aqua11
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Hey Aqua!
I really understand you, because I have been in the same position. I am a very shy, introverted person and I have struggled with social and generalized anxiety/panic attacks for many years now. I know it can be hard sometimes to go to church and be around so many people. However, as a believer, it is important to fellowship with the body of Christ and be apart of a church that teaches sound doctrine. If you isolate yourself from fellow believers and the church, you might not grow to your full potential in Christ. I know its hard, but the longer you stay away, the harder it will be to get back in to it. Some things that work for me are... Sit in the back of the church for the few first times, near the door. If you feel like you cant make it through the whole sermon, you can quietly exit. Also, you might want to bring a tension ball or something to squeeze/fidget with while there. I carry something with me that I can squeeze in my hand when my anxiety rises in crowded places and it helps. Also, you might consider a small bible study group. Sometimes being in a small intimate group can be easier to handle socially than a larger group. Also, if you feel your anxiety is crippling, please see your doctor as there may be a underlying medical reason that is causing your anxiety.
I understand the struggle, but it is important to keep within the body of Christ and not struggle alone. You can do this.
PS.. I love the ferret picture. Ferrets are incredibly awesome!
I really understand you, because I have been in the same position. I am a very shy, introverted person and I have struggled with social and generalized anxiety/panic attacks for many years now. I know it can be hard sometimes to go to church and be around so many people. However, as a believer, it is important to fellowship with the body of Christ and be apart of a church that teaches sound doctrine. If you isolate yourself from fellow believers and the church, you might not grow to your full potential in Christ. I know its hard, but the longer you stay away, the harder it will be to get back in to it. Some things that work for me are... Sit in the back of the church for the few first times, near the door. If you feel like you cant make it through the whole sermon, you can quietly exit. Also, you might want to bring a tension ball or something to squeeze/fidget with while there. I carry something with me that I can squeeze in my hand when my anxiety rises in crowded places and it helps. Also, you might consider a small bible study group. Sometimes being in a small intimate group can be easier to handle socially than a larger group. Also, if you feel your anxiety is crippling, please see your doctor as there may be a underlying medical reason that is causing your anxiety.
I understand the struggle, but it is important to keep within the body of Christ and not struggle alone. You can do this.
PS.. I love the ferret picture. Ferrets are incredibly awesome!
D
What's wrong with focusing on the Pastor's message and not so much on yourself? I'm not trying to be critical but God's word says that we are to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ as well as to think on things that are pure and righteous. We are not to be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of our minds by the washing of the word.
I would say to find a prayer/accountability partner at your church and get plugged in... GBU!
I would say to find a prayer/accountability partner at your church and get plugged in... GBU!
I think you need a deliverance. Anxiety and panic attacks arent normal things when you go into a church unless
1. the church is demonized
2. Theres something in or around you that doesnt want you to have contact with the people of god or receive Gods message.
Is there something like a time that you can pin point when this started to happen??
God bless you!!
1. the church is demonized
2. Theres something in or around you that doesnt want you to have contact with the people of god or receive Gods message.
Is there something like a time that you can pin point when this started to happen??
God bless you!!
Hebrews 10:25 King James Version (KJV)[SUP]25 [/SUP]Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
The question then becomes, what is considered an assembly? It's most often thought of as Sunday at church, but does the Bible really ever say that? In the early days they assembled in small groups at home. Jesus held His assemblies everywhere, even in what we now call vacant lots. The idea is that the assembly is anywhere you meet with others to hear the word of God, receive exhortations from others, and become accountable to the group.
I consider this here at CC to be an assembly... it's a place we gather to share the word, to grow and sharpen our swords, and to exhort others in the way of God. The only place it falls short is when people fall into bickering and dissention, instead of being open to guidance and correction. But that's not unique to CC. Paul chastised several churches for this very thing.
It all goes back to what's in your heart. Are you here at this assembly to share and grow in God's word, or are you here in this assembly to enforce your idea of it? It's not wrong to lovingly try to correct others, as long as you yourself are open to correction as well.
If you suffer panic attacks in crowds, deliverance might be something to seek, but just because a building has a steeple and a cross on it that doesn't mean it has to happen there. I've gotten more out of my time here than I did in years at many churches. An assembly is anywhere you receive exhortation from and accountability to others. It is not loyalty to certain building or denomination.
The question then becomes, what is considered an assembly? It's most often thought of as Sunday at church, but does the Bible really ever say that? In the early days they assembled in small groups at home. Jesus held His assemblies everywhere, even in what we now call vacant lots. The idea is that the assembly is anywhere you meet with others to hear the word of God, receive exhortations from others, and become accountable to the group.
I consider this here at CC to be an assembly... it's a place we gather to share the word, to grow and sharpen our swords, and to exhort others in the way of God. The only place it falls short is when people fall into bickering and dissention, instead of being open to guidance and correction. But that's not unique to CC. Paul chastised several churches for this very thing.
It all goes back to what's in your heart. Are you here at this assembly to share and grow in God's word, or are you here in this assembly to enforce your idea of it? It's not wrong to lovingly try to correct others, as long as you yourself are open to correction as well.
If you suffer panic attacks in crowds, deliverance might be something to seek, but just because a building has a steeple and a cross on it that doesn't mean it has to happen there. I've gotten more out of my time here than I did in years at many churches. An assembly is anywhere you receive exhortation from and accountability to others. It is not loyalty to certain building or denomination.
Hey Aqua!
I really understand you, because I have been in the same position. I am a very shy, introverted person and I have struggled with social and generalized anxiety/panic attacks for many years now. I know it can be hard sometimes to go to church and be around so many people. However, as a believer, it is important to fellowship with the body of Christ and be apart of a church that teaches sound doctrine. If you isolate yourself from fellow believers and the church, you might not grow to your full potential in Christ. I know its hard, but the longer you stay away, the harder it will be to get back in to it. Some things that work for me are... Sit in the back of the church for the few first times, near the door. If you feel like you cant make it through the whole sermon, you can quietly exit. Also, you might want to bring a tension ball or something to squeeze/fidget with while there. I carry something with me that I can squeeze in my hand when my anxiety rises in crowded places and it helps. Also, you might consider a small bible study group. Sometimes being in a small intimate group can be easier to handle socially than a larger group. Also, if you feel your anxiety is crippling, please see your doctor as there may be a underlying medical reason that is causing your anxiety.
I understand the struggle, but it is important to keep within the body of Christ and not struggle alone. You can do this.
PS.. I love the ferret picture. Ferrets are incredibly awesome!
I really understand you, because I have been in the same position. I am a very shy, introverted person and I have struggled with social and generalized anxiety/panic attacks for many years now. I know it can be hard sometimes to go to church and be around so many people. However, as a believer, it is important to fellowship with the body of Christ and be apart of a church that teaches sound doctrine. If you isolate yourself from fellow believers and the church, you might not grow to your full potential in Christ. I know its hard, but the longer you stay away, the harder it will be to get back in to it. Some things that work for me are... Sit in the back of the church for the few first times, near the door. If you feel like you cant make it through the whole sermon, you can quietly exit. Also, you might want to bring a tension ball or something to squeeze/fidget with while there. I carry something with me that I can squeeze in my hand when my anxiety rises in crowded places and it helps. Also, you might consider a small bible study group. Sometimes being in a small intimate group can be easier to handle socially than a larger group. Also, if you feel your anxiety is crippling, please see your doctor as there may be a underlying medical reason that is causing your anxiety.
I understand the struggle, but it is important to keep within the body of Christ and not struggle alone. You can do this.
PS.. I love the ferret picture. Ferrets are incredibly awesome!
I am working with professionals and I am on medication which keeps it tolerable. I know it runs in my family, my mom and her mom have anxiety and depression.
It also doesn't help that I am dependent on my mom to take me places and part of the anxiety is separation anxiety and being away from her in public is hard so I feel bad dragging her into everything.
Hehe thanks. He's my little dude, Clayton.
What's wrong with focusing on the Pastor's message and not so much on yourself? I'm not trying to be critical but God's word says that we are to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ as well as to think on things that are pure and righteous. We are not to be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of our minds by the washing of the word.
I would say to find a prayer/accountability partner at your church and get plugged in... GBU!
I would say to find a prayer/accountability partner at your church and get plugged in... GBU!
It happens in any place outside of my home, so it's not just my church. I know there are a few things that trigger anxiety but no way to predict it or control it to where I feel comfortable or am able to learn and focus.
I have made a ton of progress since it first hit hard in 2014. I can now leave the house without panicking and being out in public away from my mom for small periods of time is fine. I'm hoping to get back to the place that I can go wherever I want without feeling like I have to check to see if my anxiety is cool with me going.
This is partly why I joined CC, I wanted to find a group of Christians that I could really connect with and learn with. I feel awful for not feeling able to obey tha
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I am sort of in the same situation as you. So far I deal with this by ignoring every person in church as if they do not exist, and go to church only for God. I try to dress as ugly as possible so that no one will be attracted to me or give me a second look. This way I will be invisible in the church. As long as I am invisible, no one will notice me, and I will be free from social anxiety. My focus is to go to church, listen to the sermon, take notes, and exit the church quickly without any interaction with anyone. This is the first step. The second step for me so far is learning about how to form relationships in the church and in the community. I realize that I am an introvert, and this is a problem for me as the church promotes extroversion.
I am currently reading this book to help me: Robot Check
I am currently reading this book to help me: Robot Check